Tower in Hamburg makes progress towards resurgence - proprietor takes significant action
Get Excited, Hamburgians! The Iconic TV Tower Might Be Reopening Soon
After a hefty 20-year hiatus, the much-adored Hamburg TV tower, often called the "Heinrich-Hertz-Turm" or "Hamburger Fernsehturm," might finally reopen to the public! After years of disappointment and silence, the owner, DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH, has taken a monumental step—submitting building applications for both the entrance area and the renovation of the TV tower.
Last year, DFMG revealed plans for a brand-new entrance building, tagged as the Telemichel, and now, the application process has begun. The ball is already rolling for the entrance area application, which includes a review of the requested exemption from the currently applicable building plan. Meanwhile, the second application centers around the renovation work within the TV tower itself.
According to DFMG's grand vision, a fabulous meeting spot for 400 visitors, located at a whopping 130 meters above the ground, will grace this beloved Hamburg landmark once more. Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, CEO of DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH, spoke up with enthusiasm: "We've worked closely with future operators and relevant city bodies during the planning phase. Now, we're busting with anticipation to see how the approval process unfolds!"
Once a building permit is issued, the countdown begins for the final phase—the tendering of construction services and kicking off the renovation work. Jacobfeuerborn couldn't contain his excitement: "After an intense preparation period, we're eager to get started and bring a sensational tourist attraction to Hamburg!"
A Bumpy Ride: The History of Telemichel's Reopening
Designated in the early 1960s, the Telemichel was shut down in 2001 due to asbestos contamination within its interior. Ever since, there have been numerous plans for its revival, with the latest one emerging in 2020, featuring Hamburg Messe and Congress GmbH (HMC), Philipp Westermeyer of OMR, and Tomislav Karajica of Home United as prospective operators. However, plans for a 2023 reopening were squashed, and updates have remained scarce since then.
There's been speculation about the reasons behind the delay. A DFMG spokesperson pointed to a lengthy search for an operator, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and their respective impacts on public life and construction costs, as culprits. Furthermore, the entrance building had to be entirely reimagined, as soil investigations revealed that the planned stilts were not structurally viable.
Stay Tuned for More Updates about the Telemichel!
As of June 2025, there are no confirmed updates on the status of the Hamburg TV Tower's reopening for public access. Keep your eyes peeled for official announcements and enjoy the thrill of the anticipation! And if you're curious about other happenings in the city, stay tuned for more exciting stories!
- Awaiting some promising developments in the realm of local finance, DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH has made significant strides in investing in the revitalization of Hamburg's iconic TV tower, with applications submitted for both the entrance area and tower renovation.
- Once approved, the much-anticipated real-estate project is expected to resemble a bustling meeting spot for visitors, as a fabulous 400-person layout takes shape at the reopened Telemichel, 130 meters above the ground.
